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Kinetic Kurious

Posted: 24 Oct 2020, 4:27 pm
by bbishop
Good news everyone!
The reputation of the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race has spread north to the shores of Lake Ontario. I floated the idea of putting a team together amongst my colleagues, and I was not immediately ostracized! Or maybe I was but I'm an engineer and couldn't tell the difference.
One of my coworkers lived in the neighborhood where the race is held, and he has told tales of adventure and glory! I will be the team leader by default, and times-a-wastin'. Any advice on mistakes to avoid or critical decisions to make up front will be appreciated!
Thanks!
~Bill

Re: Kinetic Kurious

Posted: 16 Jan 2021, 11:59 am
by Tom
I recommend starting with engineering, then pursuing art. If your engineering is weak, you won't make it through the race, and art often thrives on its constraints. (The art of engineering does too, but most teams' first year engineering isn't that advanced.)

Unless you're entering Bush League, pay plenty of attention to the water crossing. You'll spend a lot more time on the land during the race, but it's also impossible to capsize on land.

Be sure to check out the resources at https://kineticbaltimore.com/KSR/Enter.asp including Brandon Emmons' Kinetic Sculpture Racing Course and Elliott Naess' How to Build a Kinetic Sculpture. Both authors have worked with many sculptures, and know where things can go wrong.

Good luck, and feel free to post here with detailed questions!

Tom